1,001 Characters #16: Izak Ben Meir

 

16. Izak Ben Meir    347867   ex-Merchant 2nd Officer        Age 38      5 Terms

Skills: Bribery-1, Electronics-2, Steward-1, Jack of Trades-1, Medical-1.

Benefits: Cr24,000, 3x Low Psge, Pension: Cr4,000

      Izak was born on Neith, a world with acidic oceans and a corrosive atmosphere. There are only a few tiny islands with ancient domed cities. These domed cities are very crowded and the current technological level is far below that of the original builders. Like most of his generation Izak struggled to find a way off-world, difficult as local law prohibits emigration. One day his chance came, he smuggled himself into a cargo container destined for the starport. During the loading process the cargo container received a rather hard knock and some of the cargo was damaged and began to leak. It contained a number of cylinders of acidic compounds from Neith. Izak was badly burned before the crew chief discovered him after liftoff. He almost died and has some severe scarring to this day (rolled 3 for Survival, but used +2 for INT 7+).

    He learned early that nothing in life was free and quickly figured out how to get the things he needed and how to make things happen (Bribery-1). He gained a position as 4th Officer (Commissioned) which saw him trained in the use and repair of electronic devoices  and systems aboard (Electronics-1). A rapid promotion to 3rd Officer followed as he advanced his knowledge of electronics further (Electronics-2). Finding to his chagrin that he was far weaker physically than his crew mates, he began a physical fitness program and worked hard at it for several years (+1 STR). Izak was given the role of ship's Steward (Steward-1), he excelled at the role and was promoted to 2nd Officer. As part of his duties he was required to entertain the passengers, and some of the activities he was required to do, actually improved his hand-eye coordination (+1 DEX). Over the years Izak was often required to improvise a solution to a problem he had no expertise in (Jack of Trades-1). A bout of Vr'Sarian Flu played havoc with his health (Ageing: -1 END). Which prompted him to undertake medical training (Medical-1). Finally sometime in the last year of his career, he injured his back in a brawl with some MEK scouts. Perhaps it's his age, but he never fully recovered from this injury (Ageing: -1 STR and -1 DEX) and sometimes his back goes out when exerting himself (roll 6 on D6).

    After his back injury Izak decided enough was enough and took his pay out (Mustering out: Cr24,000) and pension (Cr4,000 annually) resigning from the service. Prior to doing so however, Izak undertook educational courses to improve his education (Mustering out: +1 EDU). He was credited with three Low Psge tickets (Mustering out: Low Psge three times) and remained behind as the ship lifted off with a new 2nd Officer.

    Neith    0310    D9BA87B-6        Na Wa            G

Referee: Izak cannot return home and is looking for somewhere to settle down. He is willing to travel to find that somewhere. He's open to ideas for adding to his meagre resources, but would like to avoid any serious physical effort that may be involved. 

    Note: When Izak's back goes out (on a 6 on D6) treat it as a First Wound in combat inflicting 1D damage to a random physical characteristic, but should a characteristic be reduced to zero, Izak doesn't lose consciousness, instead he is paralysed by the pain and cannot move. Otherwise treat as the first wound in combat, including recovery time and temporary characteristic adjustments. I would roll this chance at the start of any combat and/or any time Izak must physically exert himself.

    Referees may wish to have Izak's back go out less often, if so roll 12 on 2D6 instead. Referees are also free to choose the location and visibility of the scarring from the acid burns he received when smuggling himself aboard.